First Baptist Lenoir City

<p>CONNECTION OF THE CHRIST</p>

<p>Jesus is THE Deacon of His Church - He calls Himself a Servant and calls all who follow Him to be servants as well. </p><p>Two key passages I want to share with you are Matthew 20:20-28 & John 13 </p><p>I. Who is a servant? Spiritual leadership is Servant leadership! </p><p>1. Generally speaking - Every believer </p><p>2. Specifically speaking - Office in the Church - Prototype in Acts 6 </p><p>3. Singularly speaking - Jesus Christ Himself! Matthew 20:20-28; John 13:1-17; Isaiah 42:1 </p><p><br></p><p>II. What is a Deacon? </p><p>1. About the word when used generally </p><p>a. We are all “deacons” - 3 Greek words help us understand this </p><p>1. We are all diaconas - </p><p>2. We are all doulos - </p><p>3. We are all huperetes -</p>

<p>Jesus is the Supreme Example we all are to follow. </p><p>His pastors & deacons should be next in line. “Consider their faith” - Hebrews 13:7 </p><p><br></p><p>The Head of the Church is the greatest example for the Church in every way. </p><p>Jesus is the Model Shepherd; The Model Servant; The Model Evangelist; The Model Discipler; and The Model Missionary (He set the strategy from day one) </p><p><br></p><p>I. God’s New Testament Pastors: </p><p>1. Their Calling, Character, & Content </p><p>2. Their Heart, Soul, Mind, & Motive - </p><p>3. Their personal, church, home life - </p><p>4. Their Watching (oversight), Working (serving), and Worshipping (believing & bowing)</p><p> • ABLE TO TEACH - The Word of God (II Timothy 2:15: 3:16-17; 4:1-4)</p><p> • REPUTATION WITH OUTSIDERS - </p><p><br></p><p>II. God’s Pastors: Community Contact </p><p>1. Those “outside” of Christ matter </p><p>2. There is to be a focus on those outside of Christ (Acts 2:42-47)</p><p>3. Other Scriptures focus on those outside of Christ - Paul & Peter </p><p>4. I Corinthians 5:12-13a </p><p>5. Ephesians 5:15-16 </p><p>6. Philippians 2:14-16 </p><p>7. Colossians 4:5-6 8. </p>

<p>II. God is Head of His Church - </p><p>1. God calls Pastors - Exodus 3:8-12; 4:10-17; John 21; Acts 9:10-15 </p><p>• Above reproach</p><p>• Husband of one wife </p><p>• Temperate </p><p>• Self-controlled </p><p>• Respectable (consistent; fair) </p><p>• Hospitable - approachable; accessible; inviting; welcoming; opens his home </p><p>• ABLE TO TEACH - vs actively teaching/preaching</p><p>• Not given to drunkenness </p><p>• Not violent but gentle (pugnacious) </p><p>• Not greedy for money </p><p>• Not quarrelsome </p><p>• Not covetous </p><p>• One who manages his own home well, seeing that his children obey him </p><p>• Not a recent/new convert </p><p>• Having a good reputation with outsiders (outside the faith) </p><p>• Congregation responsibility to Pastors (intertwined) </p>

<p>Men being men - Women being women </p><p>(Creative order vs culture like Eph. 5). When God’s people don’t follow God’s roles for His gathered church then we contribute to the gender confusion of our day! (Genesis 3:16-17)</p><p><br></p><p>I. Removing everything that distracts our devotion to Jesus - (Isa. 40:3)</p><p>a. Men set the example of serving and submitting </p><p>b. Women set the example of devotion over distraction - Prov. 31:25; I Peter 3:3 </p><p>c. “MODEST IS HOTTEST” - Job 31:1 </p><p>d. “Let women learn…” - not normal. Women aren’t pastors & men aren’t mothers. </p><p>e. Motherhood remains God’s creative priority - Is childbearing a blessing or a burden? Proverbs 31 woman prioritized her family and had a thriving business - Lois & Eunice (II Tim. 1:5)</p><p><br></p>

<p>I. The Divine Design of Men - Genesis 1-4 </p><p>1. God made man - Gen. 1 & 2 </p><p>2. God made husbands - Gen. 3 </p><p>3. God made fathers - Gen. 4 </p><p><br></p><p>II. Paul Exhorts the men at Ephesus - I Timothy 2:8 </p><p>1.“in every place” - </p><p>2.“men should pray” - </p><p>3.“lifting holy hands” - </p><p>4.“without anger or quarreling” - </p><p><br></p><p>III. Paul Challenges the men @ Corinth - I Corinthians 16:13-14 </p><p>1.“Be on your guard” - </p><p>2.“stand firm in the faith” - </p><p>3.“act like men” - </p><p>4.“be strong” - </p><p>5.“do everything in love” -</p>

<p>I. The MESSAGE in God’s Church (A Gospel Message) - 1:1-20 (1:1;1:18 ) </p><p>II. The MOVEMENT in God’s Church 2:1-7 </p><p>1. Praying for all People - exclude none </p><p>2. Praying for Politicians - Like Nero </p><p>3. Praying that God save them and/or … </p><p>4. Praying that God save us from them</p>

<p>I. The Main Theme of the Bible: God’s Savior! (Our salvation) </p><p>1. God’s Savior is Coming - The Patriarchs & Prophets of Israel </p><p>2. God’s Savior is Here - The Apostles </p><p>3. God’s Savior is Coming Back- The Church </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Books written by Paul - God’s Church is his main focus! God’s chosen instrument for accomplishing His mission! </p><p>1. The Theme (Main Idea ) of I Timothy - 3:14-16</p><p>2. The Trouble in the Church - is not a new problem. </p><p>a. Jesus loves His Church so we should love His Church - </p><p>b. Jesus is also concerned with His Church - Revelation 2 & 3</p><p>c. Jesus wants us to follow His Model for His Church - 3 Books</p><p><br></p><p>III. Threats to His Church - I Timothy 1 </p><p>a. The Personal relationship - vv. 1-2</p><p>b. The Problem of false teachers -vv. 3-11</p><p>c. The Passion of Paul for grace - vv. 12-17</p><p>d. The Price of blasphemy - vv. 18-20</p>

<p>I. The Rich Man & Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31 </p><p>Jesus says 3 Main Things: </p><p>(1) Religious people go to Hell - </p><p>(2) Rich people go to Hell </p><p>(3) You are going to Hell unless you change your ways (and their hatred for Jesus continued to build)</p>

<p>I. Is The Scriptural Standard too High for Mothers and Fathers and Wives and Husbands? </p><p>1. The Excellent/Virtuous Wife - Proverbs 31:1-31 </p><p>2. The Exemplary Husband - Ephesians 5:22-33. </p><p>3. The Perfect Savior - Christlikeness! </p><p><br></p><p>II. Why we DEDICATE babies: </p><p>1. We recognize God as Creator and Giver of life inside the womb </p><p>2. We recognize God as Teacher and Trainer outside of the womb </p><p>3. We recognize and hope God to be the future Savior & Lord of our babies</p><p><br></p><p> III. Why we HONOR Mothers/Motherhood - bc God does. The World doesn’t honor motherhood. God’s Word does. </p><p>(1) Eve is called “the mother of all the living” in Genesis 3:20. This is a physical designation. </p><p>(2) Sarah is called “the mother of all nations” in Genesis 17:16. This is a spiritual designation. </p><p>(3) Mary is called “the mother of Jesus” This is a Savior designation. </p><p>(4) Pray over every mother who recognizes what has been stated today. </p><p>a. May 5th is International Bereaved Mother’s Day - honoring mothers who have lost a child </p><p>b. THE GOD-FEARING WOMAN</p>

<p>A Message first for the Graduates and then to the rest of us. Matthew 16 reveals a critical encounter that Jesus has with His disciples. Jesus speaks to His FUTURE. Jesus speaks to their FAITH. What is the end goal? What is the measurement for success? Will they prevail? Will you prevail graduates? Will we prevail in our life? </p><p><br></p><p>You will PREVAIL in life based on your relationship to Jesus AND His Church! Many say they’ve left the church but kept Jesus. That won’t fly with Jesus. The Church is His Body! The Church is His Bride! </p><p><br></p><p>Wherever Life Takes You: The Person of Jesus and the Gospel of Jesus will be the determining factor on whether you PREVAIL in this world and in the next. (Heaven and Hell weigh in the balance)</p><p><br></p><p>(1) Matthew 16:1-4 (Demands) </p><p>(2) Matthew 16:5-12 (Dangers) </p><p>(3) Matthew 16:24-28 (More Dangers)</p>

<p>I. The Church @ Thessalonica - Acts 17:1-11</p><p><br></p><p>II. The 6 Marks of a Healthy Church (Based on the Test & Testimony)</p><p><br></p><p>We must examine WHAT we do and WHY we do it! </p><p><br></p><p>1. The Work of Faith - WHAT/WHY </p><p>We work because we believe </p><p>2. The Labor of Love - WHAT/WHY </p><p>We labor because we love </p><p>3. The Endurance of Hope - WHAT/WHY </p><p>We persevere because we have hope </p><p>(A church that lacks work; labor or endurance is a church that lacks faith, hope, & love!) I Corinthians 13:13</p><p><br></p><p>(We Turn; We Serve; & We Wait!)</p><p>II. Turning to God from idols - Serving the living and true God </p><p>Waiting on His Son (1:10; 2:19; 3:11-13; 4:15-17; 5:23) </p><p>a. The One coming from Heaven </p><p>b. The One Whom He raised from the dead </p><p>c. The One Who rescues us from the wrath to come </p>

<p>The Resurrection Celebration Pt 4</p><p>The Folly of Following a Dead Man / I Corinthians 15:1-19</p><p> </p><p>Christianity - Victory or Vanity? </p><p> </p><p>Resurrection wasn’t something Jesus hoped for. Resurrection was something Jesus planned for / prepared for! Jesus predicted 4 Major Events that came to pass within 3 days of each other.</p><p> </p><p>(1) His betrayal / denial </p><p>(2) His arrest / suffering </p><p>(3) His death </p><p>(4) His resurrection - </p><p>John 2:18-22 (The Sign) </p><p>John 5:24 </p><p>John 10:10 (can’t offer what you don’t possess) </p><p>John 10:17-18 (crystal clear) </p><p>John 12:25-26 (Powerful and Personal) </p><p>(5) Oh and a 5th yet to be fulfilled - His return!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I. The Evidences of Resurrection - vv. 1-4</p><p> </p><p>II. The Appearances of Resurrection - vv. 5-11</p><p> </p><p>III. The Consequences of No Resurrection - vv. 12-19</p><p> </p><p>Jesus still dead - </p><p>Preaching is worthless - </p><p>Faith is worthless - </p><p>False witnesses - </p><p>Still in sin - </p><p>Those passed have perished - </p><p>We are to be pitied - </p><p> </p><p>Christianity w/out a risen Savior is like having a car w/out an engine (it won’t move); like having a flashlight w/out a battery (can’t shine); like having wood w/out fire (doesn’t warm). Christianity w/out a risen Savior is a waste of time, a waste of energy, a wasted life. Is the resurrection a HOPE or a Hoax?</p><p> </p><p>Romans 10:9-10 </p>

<p>The Continuation of the Cross </p><p>a. Acts 1:3 - The Living King concludes His earthly teaching </p><p>b. Acts 2:22-24 - The Point of Pentecost </p><p>c. Romans 1:1-4 - The Right Focus for Rome</p><p> d. Ephesians 1:15-23 - The Power in Prayer </p><p>e. Colossians 3:1-4 - The Direction of Dedicated Disciples</p>

<p>BEST DAY EVER: The Celebration Continues </p><p>I Timothy 2:5 </p><p>1. Genesis 3:15 </p><p>2. Colossians 2:14-16 </p><p>3. I John 3:5, 8</p>

<p>RESURRECTION DAY:</p><p>“The Love, Life, and Legacy of the Lamb”</p><p>- Matthew 28:1-28 - </p><p>I. The Life of God’s Lamb:</p><p> 1. Passover Recognized - Genesis 3; Genesis 22; Exodus 12; Malachi</p><p> 2. Passover Realized - John 1:29, 36; John 18;</p><p> 3. Passover Finalized - Matthew 27; Mark; Luke; John; NT; Revelation 5:5 (20x) </p><p> 4. Passover Internalized - Matthew 28:1-28</p>

<p>I. The Priority of Prayer -</p><p> 1. Prayers of Exaltation (to God) - Matthew 6:9-10</p><p> 2. Prayers of Encouragement (to believers) - John 17:15-19</p><p> 3. Prayers of Evangelism (to unbelievers) - Matthew 9:37-38; I Timothy 2:6</p><p> • Prayers for Revival - for the saved (COME BACK!)</p><p> • Prayers of Resurrection / Redemption - for the lost (COME FOR THE FIRST TIME)</p><p><br></p><p>II. The Passion for Prayer - </p><p> 1. First of all - 2:1a</p><p> 2. For all men - 2:1b (leave no one out of your prayers - This mindset is devastating to the Great Commission - to our evangelism)</p><p> 3. For all in authority - 2:2a</p><p> 4. For all godliness - 2:2b (Paul set the example - Acts 9:19-15; Acts 22 & 26 - 2 governors & 1 king)</p><p> 5. For all men to be saved - 2:3-4 (Matthew 28:18-20, 3x “all”)</p><p><br></p><p>III. The Person of Prayer - 2:5-6</p><p> 1. There is one God - 2:5a</p><p> 2. There is one Mediator - 2:5b</p><p> 3. There is one ransom - 2:6</p>

<p>The Seven Prayers of Passion Week: </p><p>1. Pray for God to be Glorified </p><p>2. Pray for the Gospel of God to be Exalted </p><p>3. Pray for the entire Globe to be Impacted </p><p>4. Pray for those Invited to be Receptive </p><p>5. Pray for those Saved to get Excited </p><p>6. Pray for the Saved to stay Excited </p><p>7. Pray for America to be Impacted </p><p><br></p><p>Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem as the rightful King - Matthew 21:1-11 </p><p>Monday: Jesus angers the Jewish Religious Establishment by cleansing the temple - Matthew 21:12-17 (first cleansing John 2:13-22) </p><p>Tuesday: Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Jewish Religious Establishment - Matthew 23:1-36 & Jesus explains the signs of the Last Days (frequency/intensity) - Matthew 24:1-14 (15-28) </p><p>Wednesday: Jesus rested and was anointed Matthew 26:6-13 while Judas was bribed to betray Him - Matthew 26:14-16 </p><p>Thursday: Jesus experiences Passover with His disciples Matthew 26:17-25 then points to His gospel as the fulfillment of Passover - Matthew 26:26-30 then Jesus fulfills the prophecy that even His friends will forsake Him - Matthew 26:31-35 then Jesus takes Peter, James, & John to Gethsemane to pray before His betrayal - before His arrest - before His mock trial - before His scourging Matthew 26:36-75</p>

<p>1. The Charge of Trust - v. 18a </p><p>2. The Connection of Trust - v. 18b </p><p>3. The Commissioning of Trust - v. 18c </p><p>4. The Combat of Trust - v. 18d </p><p>5. The Commands of Trust - v. 19 </p><p>6. The Consequence of Distrust - v. 20</p>

<p>I. A Transforming Testimony (Paul) </p><p>1. A New Lord - Romans 10:9-10</p><p>2. A New Heart - Ezekiel 36:26 </p><p>3. A New Mind - I Cor. 3:16 </p><p>4. A New Direction - Luke 9:23 </p><p>5. A New Devotion - Mt. 22:36-38 </p><p>6. A New Destiny - John 3:16 </p><p>7. A New Song - Psalm 40:3 </p><p>8. A New Name - Rev. 2:17/Isa 62:2 </p><p><br></p><p>II. A Timeless Testimony (Paul) -</p><p> I Timothy 1:12-17</p><p> Acts 22 & Acts 26 </p><p>Philippians 3:1-14 </p><p>Galatians 1:11-24</p>

<p>I. The Gospel Testimony of Paul</p><p>A Testimony of Gratitude - 1:12</p><p>A Testimony of Depravity - 1:13a</p><p>A Testimony of Mercy (To Paul) - 1:13b</p><p>A Testimony of Grace - 1:14-15</p><p>A Testimony of Mercy (To us) - 1:16</p><p>A Testimony of Worship - 1:17</p>

<p>I. The Signs of a False Teacher </p><p>They have a DESIRE w/out discipleship - v. 7a </p><p>They have a CALLING w/out Character & Content - v. 7b </p><p>They have the PRIDE of Position and Prominence </p><p>They PRIORITIZE the Externals bc they lack the Internals - </p><p>They want to BE SERVED rather than Be Servants </p><p>They see God’s Sheep as RESOURCES for riches - </p><p>They love money and use people </p><p>They LACK a Love for God’s Law - 1:5-6-11 </p><p>They LACK a Christ-Centered Testimony of Humility - 12-15 </p><p>They LACK a High View of God - 16-17 </p><p>They MUST BE silenced & removed </p><p><br></p><p>The Purpose of the Law & The Parallel of Paul’s Testimony! </p><p>(The Law does not save us - cannot save; The Law can and does sanctify us - Obedience is what makes our saving faith grow - Matthew 7:24-27; James 1:22) </p><p><br></p><p>II. The Law is: Notice the adoration of the Law - the action of the Law - the attitude we should have of the Law! </p><p>good - 1:8 </p><p>not for the just - 1:9a f</p><p>or the ungodly- 1:9b </p><p>bad news part of the gospel - 1:11 </p><p>hushes the self-righteous - Romans 3:19-20 </p><p>holy - Romans 7:12 </p><p>helpful - Galatians 3:24-25 </p><p>delightful (full of) - Psalm 1:2 </p><p>perfect - Psalm 19:7a </p><p>restorative - Psalm 19:7b </p><p>wonderful (full of) - Ps. 119:18</p><p> truthful (full of) - Ps. 119:29, 42 </p><p>obeyed - Psalm 119:34, 44 </p><p>derided - Psalm 119:51, 61 </p><p>bothersome - Psalm 119:54 </p><p>valuable - Psalm 119:72 </p><p>merciful (full of) - Ps. 119:77</p><p> lovable - Psalm 119:97a </p><p>contemplative - Psalm 119:97b </p><p>straightforward - Ps. 119:113 </p><p>emotional - Psalm 119:136 </p><p>anchoring - Psalm 119:153 </p><p>peaceful (full of) - Ps. 119:165</p>

<p>I. Confronting False Doctrine/ False Teachers - 1:3-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5 </p><p>1. The Place (Remain at Ephesus) - 1:3a</p><p> 2. The Charge - 1:4</p><p> 3. The Aim/Goal/Target - 1:5 </p><p>4. The Compromise - 1:6-7 </p>

<p>Leadership in the Lord’s Church</p><p>“A Spiritual Father Writing to His Sons” – I Timothy 1:1-2 / Feb. 4th, 2024</p><p>(Setting the Example for God’s Flock)</p><p><br></p><p>I. The BIG IDEA of I Timothy – 3:14-16</p><p>1. The Character in God’s House / Church – vv. 1-13</p><p>2. The Conduct in God’s House / Church – vv. 14-15</p><p>3. The Content in God’s House / Church – v. 16</p><p><br></p><p>II. The MAIN CHARACTERS of I Timothy – 1:1</p><p>1. Paul/Saul </p><p>2. Timothy – 1:2 (Acts 16:1-3; </p><p>3. Christ Jesus (God the Son) – 1:1-2 – OUR Hope; OUR Lord!</p><p>4. God OUR Savior (God the Father) –</p><p><br></p><p>III. The PASSING of the Baton to Timothy – 1:2a</p><p>1. My TRUE SON in the Faith</p><p>2. The Strengths & Weaknesses of Timothy (We all have both)</p><p>a. His Strengths – I Corinthians 4:14-17; Philippians 2:19-24</p><p>b. His Weaknesses – He was relatively young (I Tim. 4:12); He was physically sick (I Tim. 5:23); he would become spiritually timid (II Tim. 1:7)</p><p><br></p><p>IV. The REALITY of God’s Redemption (It is ongoing) – 1:2b</p><p>1. The Grace of God –</p><p>2. The Mercy of God –</p><p>3. The Peace of God – All come “FROM GOD” not from Paul!</p>

<p>1. Remind 5-7 </p><p>2. Reject 8-16 </p><p>3. Remember 17-23 </p><p><br></p><p>John 14:26; 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 18; Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:5-9</p>

<p><br></p><p>I. The Time in Malta – Acts 28:1-16</p><p>1. The Kindness of the Natives – vv. 1-2, 7-10</p><p>2. The Humility of Paul – v. 3</p><p>3. The Supernatural over the Superstitious – vv. 4-6</p><p><br></p><p>II. The Trip to Rome – Acts 28:11-16</p><p>1. The Encouraging Arrival – vv. 11-15a</p><p>2. The Grateful Apostle – v. 15b</p><p>3. The Comfortable Arrest – v. 16</p><p><br></p><p>III. The Teaching in Rome – 28:17-31 </p><p>1. The Defense of Paul – vv. 17-20</p><p>2. The Response to Paul – vv. 21 -22</p><p>3. The Scope of Paul – vv. 23-28</p><p>4. The Focus of Paul – vv. 29-31 </p>

<p>Was the ship keeping them alive or was it the Savior? “It will turn out exactly as God said it would” </p><p><br></p><p>There is in Scripture a quality of character in the Roman military, specifically with Centurions. Roman politicians had questionable character but there is a different picture for Roman military officers. A Roman Legion is 600. A Roman Centurion is 100.</p><p><br></p><p> (1) Jesus met with a Roman Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) & then there was a Roman Centurion at His cross (Matthew 27:51-54) </p><p>(2) Peter meets with a Roman Centurion ( Acts 10:1-2) </p><p>(3) Paul meets with a Roman Centurion (Julius) in the Augustan Regiment here. </p><p><br></p><p>Paul has complete trust in God and Julius has complete trust in Paul Two weeks under typhoon conditions traveling 476 plus miles. </p><p><br></p><p>Many would say “It’s a miracle” but few would give glory to God. Would you? Will you? Paul cared about “all” in Acts 26 and in Acts 27! </p><p><br></p><p>What is your “Storm Story”? What storm have you gone through? Or are you in the midst of a storm? Or do you wonder what storm will come next? Can we sing in the storms of life? </p><p><br></p><p>We must sing. Psalm 34:4, I SOUGHT THE LORD AND HE HEARD AND HE ANSWERED (repeat 3x) THAT’S WHY I TRUST HIM, THAT’S WHY I TRUST HIM!</p>

<p>I. Examining our Faith (II Cor 13:5) </p><p>1. Encounter with Jesus Christ - Profession of Faith </p><p>2. Evidence of an Encounter </p><p>3. Encounter with the People of Jesus </p><p>4. Encouragement of the Scriptures </p><p>5. Evangelistic Concern for all </p><p>6. Evaluating our Evangelism</p>